Top officials of Bacolod City are seeking accountability from private school AMA Computer College Bacolod Campus, which has been facing graduation-related complaints from parents and students and has also been flagged for lack of a business permit.
The school became controversial after its 98 senior high school students were allegedly barred from participating in their graduation ceremony on June 24 due to late payment of fees.
It was also found out that AMA Computer College Bacolod Campus failed to secure a business permit for 2026.
In a statement on Thursday, Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said he has filed a resolution seeking to investigate the matter and to strengthen protection for students.
“The Department of Education policy is clear. No student who has earned the right to graduate should ever be denied that milestone because of their inability to pay,” he added.
Benitez also posted on Facebook photos of his meeting with the parents of the aggrieved students, in the presence of Vice Mayor Claudio Jesus Puentevella.
In an earlier statement, Mayor Greg Gasataya said the non-payment of fees should never be a reason to prevent students from joining the graduation ceremony so long as they have fulfilled all academic requirements.
On July 1, the city’s Business Permits and Licensing Office served a second notice of violation to AMA Computer College Bacolod Campus for operating without a business permit.
The first notice, served on June 25, had a three-day compliance period.
The school management failed to act, prompting the issuance of another notice, which gives it 15 working days to comply with the requirements.*PNA
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